International

Bag Battles: Hermes Kelly Ghillies vs. Hermes Club Birkin

You know what’s even better than a classic? A really good twist on what everyone expects. Hermes isn’t a brand that messes with tradition too eagerly, but when it does decide to switch things up, the end results are usually spectacular. (Not to mention well-implemented. The Hermes Atelier Sacs is a thing of beauty.) Lucky for Hermes lovers, the brand’s Fall 2012 collection contains two updated classics: The Hermes Kelly Ghillies, which features spectator trim for a menswear touch, and the Hermes Club Birkin, with a leather-trimmed web inset that calls to mind the season’s sporty trends. Which do you prefer? Take a closer look at the bags after the jump and then vote in our poll!

[poll id=94]

Neither of these trim varieties are new for fall, but the colors and materials are, so they’re worth a look:

Hermes Kelly Ghillies

Because the Hermes Kelly is already an incredibly well-tailored and sharp bag, the addition of just a bit of spectator trim (or broguing, depending on the term you prefer) makes visual sense. It’s an element we’re used to seeing on men’s dress shoes, so the ghillies trim automatically lends the bag a businesslike air. Not that you needed any reminder that a woman carrying a Kelly most definitely means business, of course.

Hermes Club Birkin

At the 35cm size, the Hermes Birkin is a little bit more casual than the Kelly – roomier, slouchier, all-in-all less formal. The wide swath of red webbing, trimmed in tan berenia leather, gives the Club Birkin an even more “weekend” feel – if you were going to take a Birkin out for a day of sailing, this is the one you’d want to take. (Note: I don’t actually advocate taking a handbag that costs over $10,000 near sand, water or any other part of nature.)

I don’t like either.As a matter of fact, I don’t like the bags designed by Christophe Lemaire.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Hermès traditional buyer want new bags but leave the old ones as they are.

Megank4

Meh. The club Birkin looks like they are copying LV’s personalizable stripes on the classic monogram totes (Neverfull, Speedy) where you can choose your colors and initials. The other isn’t appealing to me either. Give me a classic Birkin or the money.

19yearslater

The Kelly. I like Kellys better anyhow, and the new trim makes it even better, imho. I also feel that is more of a classic, season-to-season look than the sports-inspired stripes. For something as expensive as a Hermes bag it would be important to be able to wear it every year.

I’d choose neither as well. The Kelly Ghillies looks like the Balenciaga Brogues and the stripe on the Club Birkin looks like gucci.

http://justj.ca/ MizzJ

Ugh both of these are ugly. Why mess with perfection?

Abbi

Fiona-Brasil
‘I don’t like either.As a matter of fact, I don’t like the bags designed by Christophe Lemaire. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Hermès traditional buyer want new bags but leave the old ones as they are.’

MizzJ
‘Ugh both of these are ugly. Why mess with perfection?’

I couldnt have said any better myself! I was scared when JPG was making tiny bracelet sized birkins but now i just want him to come back and churn out more amazing colours!

My apologies JPG i was wrong to doubt you!

Rashida

To be honest 1I am not a fan of the Kelly’s at all, and I don’t like the club Birkin, but I would take that over the Kelly

bir

i never thought i would be saying this about Hermes but the taste level on these bags is …….. not to their standards the birkin i cant take its, like they dressed it up in a bad uniform ata fast food restaurant and the kelly is made of the new leather that is not transparent and almost plastic. its really a shame that they are trying to catch up with other brands introducing so many …..limited editions…… i just dont see the need Hermes is above all that !!! . i hope they get that soon !!